Why were Vingegaard and Pogačar tested during the night? Anti-doping agency speaks out

What a day it was for Jonas Vingegaard. The Danish rider from Visma | Lease a Bike was forced to withdraw from the Tour de France, but his Sunday had already gotten off to a bad start. He was woken up at 2 a.m. for a doping test. Tadej Pogačar was next in line three hours later. This sparked outrage. Enough to compel the anti-doping authorities to respond.

The night time doping tests were far from ideal for Vingegaard and Pogacar. Both riders reported having had a short, restless night’s sleep. When Vingegaard then crashed hard on stage 15, the connection was quickly made—even by his Slovenian rival. “That makes me wonder: maybe you’re less focused when your sleep has been ruined?” Whether that was the cause, we’ll never know. But whether it was necessary is still up for debate.

Feltet sought clarification from the International Testing Agency ( ITA), the body responsible for conducting doping tests during cycling races. “The ITA is aware that night time testing can disrupt riders’ sleep and recovery,” the response stated. “Appropriate precautions have therefore been taken to minimize the impact of testing activities on riders as much as possible.”

The ITA makes no mention of these appropriate precautions. When asked whether night time testing affects an athlete’s performance, reflexes, and mental fatigue, the Danish media outlet also received no response. Instead, the testing body emphasizes the importance of doping controls.

"On the other hand, the ITA, on behalf of the UCI, is responsible for the effectiveness of the anti-doping program in cycling and the integrity of the races," the organization continues. "Effective doping controls must therefore—to a certain extent and in a justified manner—also be able to take place outside the normal 24-hour period."

The rules regarding these types of nighttime tests are clear. This may only take place if the rider himself specifies a 60-minute window between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or if the anti-doping authority has “serious and specific” suspicions that the athlete in question is actually involved in the use or trafficking of doping substances. What does the ITA say about this?

Very little. "All doping tests conducted during the Tour de France and other international events, including decisions regarding when to test, are carried out in accordance with the ITA's anti-doping strategies and WADA's anti-doping rules, the UCI’s anti-doping rules, and French law, while respecting the well-being, equality, and fundamental rights of the riders.”

Pogačar and Vingegaard’s surprise at the doping test indicates that the riders certainly did not volunteer to be tested that night. The only remaining possibility is that the anti-doping authority has suspicions, but the ITA does not specifically address this. Pogačar and Vingegaard will therefore find the explanation of little help.